Tailored TasteFocused on the consumer experience, KIVA expands its offering of industry-leading edibles

As pioneers in the current edibles market, KIVA Confections’ products have matured for almost a decade as states have advanced from medical cannabis into the recreational systems of today.

The company grew out of the founders’ recognition that edibles were an inconsistent product in the industry at the time, and they desired a reliable product that they could recommend to family and friends.

Founders Scott Palmer and Kristi Knoblich began cooking in their home kitchen with chocolate bars after being inspired by a visit to a local chocolatier, with a desire and intention to make a product they could stand behind.

“Even after four years in this business, and at this company, I am still inspired daily by cannabis’ ability to help people,” said Christie Strong, marketing communications manager for KIVA. “We know that it eases pain, that it alleviates stress and anxiety, that it promotes restful sleep—but we also know that we are still at the beginning of understanding its full potential.”

KIVA has four different edible product brands and has won several industry awards for its products including “Best Edible” prizes. Both the KIVA Chocolate Bars and the Terra Bites are made with cold water (or bubble) hash. The chocolates come in a rainbow of flavors, from a mint Irish creme chocolate bar to a blueberry milk chocolate bite. The Petra mints have a light 2.5mg dose of THC—perfect for microdosing—and come in mint and eucalyptus flavors.

KIVA is focused on creating consistent and enjoyable consumer experiences and brings an elevated quality with elegant packaging full of information for patients and consumers. KIVA’s founders also like to have fun with their products, offering intriguing, artisan-inspired flavor combinations. This last St. Patrick’s Day, KIVA released a limited-edition gold-covered chocolate edible from its Terra Bites collection. Last fall, KIVA released its newest edible products—cannabis gummies in four flavors with intended effects.

“With the release of our new Camino gummies, we can also say that we’ve created the most tailored edible experience on the market,” said Strong. “We used unique blends of terpenes, THC and CBD to deliver the exact effects promised on the package and then tested them with consumers.”

Strong said the biggest challenges that the company faces are meeting the regulation standards of different states, since each state has its own guidelines for products including packaging, testing requirements and allowable content. KIVA currently sells products in California, Arizona, Nevada, Illinois and Hawaii.

“With the release of our new Camino gummies, we can also say that we’ve created the most tailored edible experience on the market.”

In the face of the cannabis industry’s many challenges, KIVA’s near-decade of experience serves as a unique advantage to the company. “These are steep barriers to becoming a national brand with widespread recognition. The advantages of a changing landscape are that, as a nine-year-old company, we have a lot of experience navigating ever-evolving regulatory hurdles.”

“As a maker of low dose edibles perfect for a range of consumers, KIVA is an inclusive brand,” said Strong, who feels KIVA has the chance to become a household name in the industry as the company grows. “I would love to see the KIVA name become synonymous with premium, trustworthy edibles.” The company has held educational events in its home state of California since its inception and knows that its customers look to it for advice and support as well as delicious, consistent products.

“At KIVA, we’re not just selling products. We’re telling stories through our brands that help evolve the perception of cannabis and bring more people who can benefit from this plant into the space.”

“At KIVA, we’re not just selling products,” said Strong. “We’re telling stories through our brands that help evolve the perception of cannabis and bring more people who can benefit from this plant into the space.”